406oc.co.uk

Hi,

I've got a bit of an issue with my 1996 406 2.0 GLX, and I was hoping for a bit of advice before I try and limp it down to the garage.

Basically around 2 weeks ago (when it was very cold, just before the snow) I got in it, started it up, and heard a loud grinding noise. The noise faded off after 10 seconds or so, so I left it idling for a bit, then decided I'd best take it around the block before trying to venture too far. I got about 1/4 mile before I noticed the temp guage was waaaay past the usual sitting-in-traffic-max and visibly still climbing, so I turned it around and headed home. I hit the hot air blower on 'eco' to max, but all I got was cold air. I made it back just after the 'STOP' dash light came on, and the temp gauge needle resting just short of the end of the scale.

Could this be caused by a faulty water pump? There is plenty of water in the system, although the anti freeze level was close to *ahem* non-existent, and I can't see any visible leaks. I no longer get any noise when starting it, though I'm reluctant to drive it too far for a more extensive test.

Any help would be appreciated.

It's entirely possible that due to the lack of anti-freeze in the cooling system the water froze, and when you started the car the fins on the water pump either broke off or have detatched from it's shaft altogether, thus not circulating the coolant, or lack of. I would'nt drive it at all at the moment because if it gets too hot it will pop the head gasket.

This does sound like classic water pump failure, likely as a result of freezing.

Wait until the car is cold, top up the coolant header tank until you can see the level. Start the engine and get someone to rev it, you should see the level in the header tank fall as the revs shoot up. If not, definitely water pump.

Don't let it run for more than a minute or two and avoid letting it get too hot, or as marty said, you risk head gasket failure.

Cheers for the replies.

I'm hoping this may not be as bad as I first thought, as I gave it its proper real test today since it happened, gradually letting the engine idle until it warmed up enough to kick in the cooling, and luckily it seems to be doing just that. I took it for a couple of cautious drives out and it showed no sign of the overheating I had the last time I drove it. It seems to be back to its pre-grinding-noise level really. I'm not ruling out any damage to the water pump, but going on the age and value of the car and likely cost of replacing it, I'll probably just ride my luck on this and see how long I can get away with it.

Appreciate your help though

Your water pump may well have survived, the noise you heard could have been the aux belt slipping over the frozen water pump.